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system (fig. 8b). Both use an over-center cam action to clamp the bike’s wheel in
place. Your bicycle may have a cam-and-cup front wheel retention system and a
traditional rear wheel cam action system.
a. Adjusting the traditional cam action mechanism (fig. 8a)
The wheel hub is clamped in place by the force of the over-center cam pushing
against one dropout and pulling the tension adjusting nut, by way of the skewer,
against the other dropout. The amount of clamping force is controlled by the
tension adjusting nut. Turning the tension adjusting nut clockwise while keeping
the cam lever from rotating increases clamping force; turning it counterclockwise
while keeping the cam lever from rotating reduces clamping force. Less than
half a turn of the tension adjusting nut can make the difference between safe
clamping force and unsafe clamping force.
WARNING: The full force of the cam action is needed to clamp the
wheel securely. Holding the nut with one hand and turning the lever
like a wing nut with the other hand until everything is as tight as you
can get it will not clamp a cam action wheel safely in the dropouts. See also
the first WARNING in this Section, p. 18.
b. Adjusting the cam-and-cup mechanism (fig. 8b)
The cam-and-cup system on your front wheel will have been correctly adjusted
for your bicycle by your dealer. Ask your dealer to check the adjustment every
six months.
Do not use a cam-and-cup front wheel on any bicycle other than
the one for which your dealer adjusted it.
3. Removing and Installing wheels
WARNING: If your bike is equipped with a hub brake such as a rear
coaster brake, front or rear drum, band or roller brake; or if it has an
internal gear rear hub, do not attempt to remove the wheel. The
removal and re-installation of most hub brakes and internal gear hubs
requires special knowledge. Incorrect removal or assembly can result in
brake or gear failure, which can cause you to lose control and fall.
CAUTION: If your bike has a disc brake, exercise care in touching the
rotor or caliper. Disc rotors have sharp edges, and both rotor and caliper
can get very hot during use.
a. Removing a disk brake or rim brake Front Wheel
(1) If your bike has rim brakes, disengage the brake’s quick-release
mechanism to increase the clearance between the tire and the brake pads (See
Section 4.C fig. 11 through 15).
(2) If your bike has cam action front wheel retention, move the cam lever from
the locked or CLOSED position to the OPEN position (figs. 8a & b). If your bike
has through bolt or bolt-on front wheel retention, loosen the fastener(s) a few
turns counter-clockwise using an appropriate wrench, lock key or the integral
lever.
(3) If your front fork has a clip-on type secondary retention device, disengage
it and go to step (4). If your front fork has an integral secondary retention device,
and a traditional cam action system (fig. 8a) loosen the tension adjusting nut
Your bicycle may be equipped with a different securing method for the front
wheel than for the rear wheel. Discuss the wheel securing method for your
bicycle with your dealer.
It is very important that you understand the type of wheel securing
method on your bicycle, that you know how to secure the wheels correctly,
and that you know how to apply the correct clamping force that safely
secures the wheel. Ask your dealer to instruct you in correct wheel removal
and installation, and ask him to give you any available manufacturer’s
instructions.
WARNING: Riding with an improperly secured wheel can allow the
wheel to wobble or fall off the bicycle, which can cause serious injury
or death. Therefore, it is essential that you:
1. Ask your dealer to help you make sure you know how to install and
remove your wheels safely.
2. Understand and apply the correct technique for clamping your wheel
in place.
3. Each time, before you ride the bike, check that the wheel is securely
clamped.
The clamping action of a correctly secured wheel must emboss the
surfaces of the dropouts.
1. Front Wheel Secondary Retention Devices
Most bicycles have front forks which utilize a secondary wheel retention
device to reduce the risk of the wheel disengaging from the fork if the wheel is
incorrectly secured. Secondary retention devices are not a substitute for correctly
securing your front wheel.
Secondary retention devices fall into two basic categories:
a. The clip-on type is a part which the manufacturer adds to the front wheel
hub or front fork.
b. The integral type is molded, cast or machined into the outer faces of the
front fork dropouts.
Ask your dealer to explain the particular secondary retention device on your
bike.
WARNING: Do not remove or disable the secondary retention device.
As its name implies, it serves as a back-up for a critical adjustment. If
the wheel is not secured correctly, the secondary retention device
can reduce the risk of the wheel disengaging from the fork. Removing or
disabling the secondary retention device may also void the warranty.
Secondary retention devices are not a substitute for correctly securing
your wheel. Failure to properly secure the wheel can cause the wheel to
wobble or disengage, which could cause you to loose control and fall,
resulting in serious injury or death.
2. Wheels with cam action systems
There are currently two types of over-center cam wheel retention
mechanisms: the traditional over-center cam (fig. 8a) and the cam-and-cup